Display apparatus



w. F; G'EHRING DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed May 6, 1925 June 12, 1928.

2am@ MMf/@ June 12, 192s. 1,673,113

w. F. GEHRING Y DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed May 6, 1925` 2 sheets-*sheet 2.wlmm Y A UIMM Patented June 12, 1928.

UNITED .STATES WILLIAM F. GEHRING,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DISPLAY APPARATUS.

Application filed May 6,

My invention belongs to that general class of devices known as displayapparatus, and relates particularly to a device for displaying designs,words or the like, for use wherever desired. The same is particularlyconvenient and applicable for use by fraternal organizations fordisplayingI their various emblems in an impressive, ornamental,attractive and convenient manner. The invention has among its objectsthe production of a device of the kind described vthat is simple,convenient, attractive, ornamental and satisfactory, and which, asbefore mentioned, may be used wherever found applicable. f

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangementand combination of parts herein shown and described, and vmoreparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like orcorresponding parts-z Fig. 1 is a fiont elevation of my improved fdevice and .stand therefor; v

Fig. 2 is-a side lelevation of the same Fig. 3 is a detailed view of thecontrolling mechanism therefor.;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the device with the front panels removed;

Fig. 5 is substantially a sectional view ltaken =on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. l6 is a sectional view taken substan tially on line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view Ataken substantially on line 7-7 of Fig. 4; l

Fig. `v8 is a fragmentary section looking in the same direction as Figs.1 Iand 4 and illustrating certain details of construction:

Fig. 9 'is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevation of the improveddevice; and

Fig. 10 is an elevation of controlling mechanism vemployed in anotherform of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, in which my device is constructed to displaythe emblems suitable for fraternal organizations,

the device being constructed in this ,caser in f the form of a star, 1represents the back. or bottom of a casing, which isprovided with sides2 Vextending-from the bottom 1 alongi-ts edges. The sides 2 are arrangedin the form of a star having points. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. These sides maybesecured to the bottom in any suitable manner `and may be made ofk sideof the bottom 1.

1925. serial No. 28,398.

any number of pieces, but preferably are U- shaped in the cross-sectionto provide flanges 2a which may be secured to the bottom 1 and flanges2b to which other parts of the apparatus may be secured. I al'so'providesides 9 arranged between the points of the star, the sides 9 being sodispensed in this vinstance that they form. a ,pentagon Likewise, Iprovide a plurality of partit-ions l0extending from the bottoni. Thepartitions 1() .and the sides 2 and 9 form a series of compartments orpockets which are preferably closed by panels 19 of any suitablevtransparent material, such as glass.

The glass faceor top may be constructed of one panel or a .plurality ofpanels. Preferably I employ a plurality of panels 19as shown,a panel 19being provided for each of` the pockets or 'compartments formed by thepartitions 10 and the vsides .2 and 9. The glass panels may bemaintained in position in any -desired vmanner but I prefer K to providea frame 20 secured to the flanges the device, there being preferably oneforl each compartment, which carry lamps 25. Hand holes 13 arranged inthebottom lare for conven-iencer in renewing the lamps. The handholes13are normally closed by plates 131a pivotallymounted upon the outer Aslillustrated in Fig. 9, a clip 13b is provided for each plate 1,32L and,provides means whereby the plate 13tnt may be held in a positionwherein it closes the associated hand hole 13. Holes 13C in' the bottom1 are providedl for ventilation.

In my ,preferred construction, I provide mechanism for independentlycontrolling each lamp. Any preferred form of controlling switch may beemployed for the purpose. I have shownin Fig. 3 a suitable switch forcontrolling the different lamps, the switch being adapted toindependently control the lamps successively in series of three. shown,26 is a cable carrying conductors I prefer tov is connected in parallelwith the several lamps 25 and is connected in parallel to contacts 32forming parts of the switch.`

Intermediate its ends the conductor 2T is connected to any suitablesource (not shown) of electrical energy. the conductor 2T com prising aplurality of pieces, one of which is secured to one terminal of saidsource of electrical energy and another of which is connected to theother terminal of said source of electrical energy. Switch members 33carrying afplurality of contacts 34, 35 and 36 are slidably mounted in acasing 28 which encloses the contacts 3l. and 32. Movement of the switchmembers 33 is controlled by stops 87 and 38. Assuming that the uppermostcontacts 3l in Fig. 3 are connected with the lamps 25 lin threecompartments. these compartments will he successively illuminated as thecorresponding rodV 33 is pushed in to engage the contacts 31. v First,the contact 34 closes a circuit and one of the -lamps Awill be lighted.As the switch member 33 is vpushed in farther, contact 35 will close thefirst circuit and contact 34 will close al second circuit. As the switchmember is moved in still farther, the three contacts 8l will be'operatively connected with the corresponding contacts 32 and threelamps will be lightedl The member 33 may be withdrawn, as desired"q toopen all of the circuits; The other members 33 may then be operated in,any desired order, and combination Aof them operated at the same time. Yl

i If desired, an addltional chamber or comy partment may be arranged atthe ytop of the emblem. This consists'of sides 45 having a suitablebottom 46,'two or more lamps 25 being mounted in this compartment. Ihave shown thecompartment without partitions so that only one setv ofcontacts is required.

The latter compartment'may be secured .to

the remainder of the apparatus by spring fingers 47 formed upon thesides 45 andfadapted to be engaged by clips 48 secured to the sides2`(Fig. 8). Orf course. other compartments may be arranged about theemblem similar to the compartments described, in which case additionalcontacts andconductors may he arranged in the switch box. Upon the covermay be arranged words, mot-toes.r or other emblcms. While I havereferred to the front cover of the device being transparent, andpreferably of glassI mean that it is of such material and so constructedthat the illumination of lamps will show through, lighting up thepanels, which are preferably incolor, but so that the lamps will notclearly show through; in i other fwords, the panels forming the coversor top, when colored, may be termed translucent, so that while the lightcomes through the source of the light is not clearly seen.

The device is particularly desirable for displaying symbols or designsin a predetermined order or sequence. and displaying advertising in thesame manner, the emblems being printed or painted upon the glass panels,which 'panels may be colored as desired. The results are most effectiveand impressive.v i Of course, when the lamps are out practically nothingshows onthe panel, at least/,not enough to clearly distinguish the same.'Of course, other compartments vmay be arranged about'the emblem.

vice which is employed in another form of the invention. This devicecomprises a switch 50 which may be substituted for the switch abovedescribed. The switch 50 pret-` erably comprises a plurality ot suitable`switch mechanisms (not shown) which are controlled by push buttons'l.Each switch mechanism is operatively connected in series with one ofthelamps 25 and with a suitable source (not shown) of electrical energy.Obviously, each lamp 25 is controlled solely by its associated switchmechanism.

lHaving thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modifi-` cations maybe madel in the lsame without departingfrom thespirit'of-my invention; hence I do not wish to `be understood aslimiting myself'tothe exact form, construction, arrangement andcombination of parts herein shown and 1 described or luses mentioned. Yj

lVhat I claim as' new and desire tov secure by Letters Patent is: i

1, In a display device of the character described including astar-shaped wall, said wall 'being substantially U-shaped in crosssection, radially disposed partitions of'substantially U-shap'ed crosssection arranged centrally within the confines O-said'Wall, each' ofsaid radially disposed partitions meeting said star-shaped wal] Vat thebottom eta valley of the star, angularly disposed substantially U-shapedpartitions connecting the outer ends 'of said'` radial partitions thusforming an inner and outer series of compartments, a plurality of shortwalls of substantially U-shaped cross section angularly disposed acrosseach valley ofv the` star` shaped wall thus forming a third series ofcompartments, a frame for holding. panels ico secured to said partitionsand Walls and in contact with one leg of the U thereof, the pjeripheralmembers of said frame being of -shaped cross section to accommodate apanel on one edge, and the inner members' of said frame being ofH-shaped cross section to accommodate panels on opposite edges, and acover engaging the other leg of the U of said Walls and partitions, saidcover having an inwardly turned flange on its peripheral edge.

2. In a display device of the character described including astar-shaped Wall, radially disposed partitions arranged centrally Withint-he confines of said Wall, each of said centrally arranged partitionsmeeting said star-shaped Wall at the bottom of a valley of the star,angularly disposed partitions connecting the outer ends of said radialpartitions, thus forming an inner and outer series of compartments, aplurality of short walls angularly disposed across each valley of thestar-shaped wall thus forming a third series of compartments, a coverfor one Side of said compartments comprising a frame and panels, saidframe secured to one edge of said partitions and of said Walls and incontact with fianges on said partitions and on said vvalls,the eripheralmembers of said frame being of -shaped cross section to accommodate apanel on one edge, the inner members of said frame being of H-shapedcross section to accommodate panels on opposite edges, and a cover forthe other side of said compartments and in contact With flanges on saidpartitions and on said Walls,

said secondsnamed cover having openingsr therein for access to saidcompartments.

3. In a display device of the character described, a star-shaped casing,ay separable casing mounted between points of said starshaped casing,clips carried yby said starshaped casing, and spring fingers carried bysaid separable casing, said spring fingers removably engaging said clipsto retain the separable casing in position between said points. Y

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

WILLIAM F GEHRIN G.

